Read our Hare and Tortoise Interviews and Insight Pack

“The interviews with the creative team have been written with children in mind but hopefully will also provide some interesting insight for adults (and not just teachers!). I hope the activities give ideas to teachers and also parents/carers on rainy days during the Christmas holidays.”(Allie Spencer, Director)

Here’s a preview of just some of the interviews…

Brendan Murray – Writer

What’s the best thing about being a writer?

When I’m still at home writing by myself, it’s when a story starts to work out and the characters find their voices. But it’s also great when the show goes into rehearsal and you see the actors, designer, lighting designer, composer, choreographer, and director start to bring the story you’ve imagined to life!

Is it hard to write a play for children?

Mm… Sometimes, because I want to write plays that my audience will like and understand (and it’s a long while since I was young!) but that still express something that concerns me as a grown-up.

Adam Horvath plays HARE and Elizabeth Eves plays TORTOISE

What other acting jobs have you done?

Adam: Eighteen months ago I toured with Nottingham Playhouse in The Second Minute as part of NEAT13. I’ve just finished doing a play called Brassed Off which is about a group of miners who are in a brass band.

Elizabeth: Lots of travelling England, Scotland and Wales, with lots of theatre companies. I’ve also been to Germany with another children’s show called ‘The Musicians of Bremen’, based on the Brothers’ Grimm fairytale.

What is your favourite children’s story? Why?

Adam: A Christmas Carol. It’s probably lots of people’s favourite story, but the book really gets me in a Wintery and Christmassy mood, and they’re two of my favourite things.

Elizabeth: I love Enid Blyton’s The Faraway Tree. Because of the toffee pops. I love food! Also Malory Towers – because of midnight feasts with friends.

What is the best thing about being an actor?

Adam: I get to do what I love and be paid for it!

Elizabeth: You get to play! To pretend to be other people is brilliant.

Allie Spencer – Director

Why did you want to direct this play?

I love the story of the Hare and the Tortoise and I really like Brendan Murray’s script. It’s not just about the race – it’s about two friends spending special time with each other. It’s about Tortoise teaching Hare to slow down and notice things, and about Hare learning to look after Tortoise as well as the other way round, maybe similar to you looking after your Grandma or Grandad.